WOMEN'S BREAST HEALTH IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AT ANY AGE

Women’s Breast Health affects many women today. Breast Cancer is the
most prevalent Cancer among women and is responsible for much suffering
every year. Protecting Women’s Breast Health should be a priority
at any age. Self-Breast examinations, Professional Breast Exams and Tri-Yearly
Mammograms are an important part of staying current of women’s breast
health. The earlier Breast Cancer is caught, as with any cancer, the more
likely treatment will be successful. Keeping up on women’s breast
health is one of the best ways to prevent breast cancer, the more educated
one is one the subject, the more likely she will be to notice if her women’s
breast health is declining.

Women's Breast Health Education
Cancer of a woman’s breast has the negative distinction of being the
highest incident rate of cancer amongst women. Therefore, it is imperative
that women’s breast health incorporates the following components to
reduce the risk or early detection of breast cancer. Those important components
include regular mammograms, breast exams by a professional and breast exams
conducted by the woman herself.

Yearly Mammograms Protect Women's Breast Health
An important part of the women’s breast health strategy that can aid
in the possible early detection of breast cancer is mammograms. Mammograms
are soft tissue examinations that are performed using x-ray technology.
Through mammography, films are taken of the breasts and examined by radiologists
for any abnormalities. If no abnormalities are found in the exam it is labeled
as negative which means that there were no abnormal findings.

Women’s breast health care suggests that women, who are between the
ages of 20 and 39, should receive a mammogram every three years. Those women
who are 40 years of age or older should have an annual mammogram conducted.

Professional Exams are a Key Part of Maintaining Women's Breast Health
In addition to having regularly scheduled mammograms, as part of the women’s
breast health care plan, women should have their breasts examined by their
doctor on a regular basis. The doctor will simply conduct a physical exam
of the breasts with the purpose being to detect any possible abnormal growths
within the glands.

A physician should conduct professional breast exams once every three years.
This recommended length of time is part of the women’s breast health
strategy for women who are from the ages of 20 to 39. Those women who are
40 years old and over should have this type of exam conducted yearly.

Self-Examination as part of a Women's Breast Health Regimen
Probably the most important exam conducted as part of the women’s
breast health program is self-exams. This type of exam puts the responsibility
squarely upon the woman’s shoulders and makes her accountable for
the health of her breasts.

There are many techniques that can be performed as part of the self-examination
of the breast. As part of your learning curve, it would be appropriate to
talk with your personal physician and learn about self-examination. Critical
information, in women’s breast health, is knowing the different feel
between possible growths and the feel of normal breast tissue.

One of the easiest methods of breast examination is by simply looking at
your breasts. While standing in front of a mirror, with the upper part of
your body exposed, clasp both of your hands behind your head. Women’s
breast health will visually looking for any changes in the shape or dimensions
of the breasts. In addition, the self-examining woman should check for any
indentations of the skin or inverted nipples. Another indication to watch
out for is any crusting or rashes of the breast and/or nipples.

One other self-exam that can be conducted as part of a women’s breast
health effort is the actual feeling of the breasts. Two specific methods
that can be utilized are the circular method and the grid method.

The circular method utilizes the hand that is opposite of the breast that
is to be examined. The starting point for this exam is at the very top of
the breast being examined. Using the first three fingers of your hand press
gently and begin to move the fingers in a circular motion around your breast.
This process should examine the entire top half of the breast and work towards
the nipple. Using this technique all portions of the breast should be examined.
The second breast should be examined in the same manner.

The technique of the grid method, as part of the women’s breast health
examination, has its starting point near the breastbone. Utilizing your
fingertips examine the entire area of the breast by moving the fingers from
the top part of the breast downward. The exam will be completed once the
entire breast has been examined using this method.

Additional Instructions
There are certain times of the month that breast examinations should not
be conducted. Those times are two to three days following your menstruation
cycle. Other areas of examination, as part of the women’s breast health
care, should include the upper portion of your breast near the armpit. In
addition, it is important to feel the armpit area as well to detect any
swelling of the lymph nodes.

One additional area to check for lymph node swelling is the area situated
just above the collarbone or clavicle. If you detect any abnormalities or
areas of concern it is important that you see your attending physician immediately.